Limit on qty of balls carried during tournament?

[sjsconcepts]

I am playing in a small tournament tomorrow. They go off of USGA rules, but I cannot find if there is a ball carry limit. I could be wrong, but I thought there was a rule on how many balls you can carry in your bag. Maybe someone with some knowledge can shed some light. Thanks

[DavidFehertysBike]

Im not aware of a ball limit.. But when i play in sanctioned tournaments i dont carry anymore than 6 balls. If im playing badly enough to lose that many balls...its time to WD..lol

[goblue107501]

The only limits are how many you can fit in the bag. As long as they are the same ball take all you want.

[groovezilla79]

I've been told 12 is the limit on the PGA, but I haven't ever found anything in writing to back it up. I always carried 8 when I played competitively a few years back. No one ever asked me about it or checked my bag for the amount of balls.

[fr0sty]

There is no limit, and according to decision

5-1/5 you can even borrow balls from other players:

5-1/5 Whether Player May Borrow Balls from Another Player Q. During a stipulated round, a player runs out of balls. May he borrow one or more balls from another player? A. Yes. Rule 4-4a prohibits a player from borrowing a club from another player playing on the course but the Rules do not prevent a player from borrowing other items of equipment (balls, towels, gloves, tees, etc.) from another player or an outside agency. If the "One Ball" Condition in Appendix I is in effect, the player would need to obtain the same brand and type of ball as required by that condition. Other Decisions related to Rule 5-1: See “Ball” in the Index

[bplewis24]

So I guess this means the "Tin Cup" movie shouldn't be used as a rules reference?

Brandon

[fr0sty]

So I guess this means the "Tin Cup" movie shouldn't be used as a rules reference?

Correct. Everything you see in "Happy Gilmore", on the other hand, is in strict accordance with USGA rules and descisions.

[sjsconcepts]

So I guess this means the "Tin Cup" movie shouldn't be used as a rules reference?

I didn't even think about that, but they do reference it there. It's Hollywood....enough said!

[Fat Slice]

Correct. Everything you see in "Happy Gilmore", on the other hand, is in strict accordance with USGA rules and descisions.

I just *knew* those giant checks were real!!!

[sjsconcepts]

Thanks for the responses. I am trying to figure out what I "need" in my bag, and what I "want". Atleast the pretty cart girls will be out so I don't have to pack the beer.

[zeg]

I am playing in a small tournament tomorrow. They go off of USGA rules, but I cannot find if there is a ball carry limit. I could be wrong, but I thought there was a rule on how many balls you can carry in your bag. Maybe someone with some knowledge can shed some light. Thanks

No, there's no limit. As many as you want. I recall hearing that once upon a time there was such a rule for pro events, but I can't find anything to back that up so it may well be apocryphal. Certainly there is no such limit now.

The only limits are how many you can fit in the bag. As long as they are the same ball take all you want.

Correct on the first count, probably not on the second. The "one-ball rule" (that you use a single make and model ball for the entire round) is a condition of competition that's used at US (and perhaps elsewhere) professional events, and perhaps at some high-level tournaments, but is not a general Rule of Golf. If the OP's handicap is even approximately correct and this is a "small tournament," my guess would be that there's no such condition in place.

[WUTiger]

So I guess this means the "Tin Cup" movie shouldn't be used as a rules reference?

Deciphering

Tin Cup scenario : Roy McAvoy (played by Kevin Costner) comes to No. 18, a mid-length par 5 with water in front of green. General approach of movie's tourney pros to hole: If you have a solid drive... Go for green in two... if you hit water, take penalty stroke... drop one at 100 yd. mark, and wedge it close for up-and-down par. Roy then dumps his 3W his approach in water. Well, Roy is a hardhead, and wants to make the green in two at all costs. In doing so, he dumps 5 into the water until he's down to the last ball he has... and he cans a 3W to close our the hole (with a 12). Script-writer probably not aware Roy could borrow a ball of same brand and model ball from another golfer. But that's why he's a script-writer... probably can't play golf worth *

[sjsconcepts]

My handicap does not reflect anything. I have only played 18 holes one time, scored 119, but I only had my irons(4-pw) and my putter. I am doing this to help my wife who is part of the chamber of commerce who is putting this shin dig on.

[treebound]

Thanks for the responses. I am trying to figure out what I "need" in my bag, and what I "want". Atleast the pretty cart girls will be out so I don't have to pack the beer.

Just for grins I was reading some tourney requirements and saw where certain measuring devices are not allowed, and you can be DQ'd just for having one in your bag even if you don't/didn't use it. I think it was relative to the ones that measure more than just distance.

You don't really want to know how many balls I've had in my bag at various times over the years. Let's just say if I was in a foursome and everyone else forgot their balls I could give each a dozen and have had plenty left over. I think I've got a couple dozen in the bag right now, I used to lose lots of balls in the water and woods. Last time I played a few weeks ago I only lost two or three balls so I'm getting better.... Have a good game and let us know how it goes.

[RC]

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, touring pros were limited to 9 balls in the bag (or so I once heard -- whether it is true or not is hearsay.)

[bplewis24]

I tell ya, Roy must hit some of the highest shots known to man. His shots stay in the air FOREVER.

Brandon

[Ignorant]

Just for grins I was reading some tourney requirements and saw where certain measuring devices are not allowed, and you can be DQ'd just

That sounds very peculiar to me. Rule 14-3 uses the verb 'use' instead of 'carry', so IMO one is allowed to carry with him any kind of measuring device as long one is not using it. For clubs there are separate Rules to distinguish use from carrying (4-1, 4-2) but for other devices there is no such Rule.

[zeg]

That sounds very peculiar to me. Rule 14-3 uses the verb 'use' instead of 'carry', so IMO one is allowed to carry with him any kind of measuring device as long one is not using it. For clubs there are separate Rules to distinguish use from carrying (4-1, 4-2) but for other devices there is no such Rule.

I agree. The rule bans distance measuring devices that are CAPABLE of making other measurements (e.g., rangefinders with slope gauges) are illegal to use, even if those other functions are not used. As far as I know as long as you don't use the device at all you should be fine. That said, I wouldn't carry them either, just so there can be no question about whether they were in use...